HALIFAX: The Nova Scotia government is expanding the criteria for people who are moving to the province and adding flexibility for travel from Prince Edward Island.
“We are responding to concerns we have heard from people who are moving here,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “Our restrictions are remaining for a little longer as we try to crush this third wave but hopefully these modifications at the border and for travel from PEI for work, school and veterinary services will provide relief.”
People can apply to move to Nova Scotia with immediate family members who live in the same household if they have:
— a purchase and sale agreement for a property purchase showing that an offer has been accepted on or before May 1, 2021
— proof of ownership of property in Nova Scotia, and either a purchase and sale agreement for a property or notice of termination of their lease agreement in another province or territory
— a minimum one-year lease signed on or before May 1, 2021
— a letter of acceptance for new employment in Nova Scotia that cannot be done virtually or deferred; the letter must be dated on or before May 7, 2021
People who meet this criteria must apply via the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in and have a plan for the required 14-day self-isolation. Due to volume, it will take a week to review applications and only people who plan to arrive before July 1 will be considered at this time. People who plan to come later should wait until about a week before their travel date to apply.
People should not start their travel to Nova Scotia without having received approval in advance. They will be denied entry if they do not have approval.
“This change in criteria for moving to Nova Scotia will help people who are caught in the middle of real-estate transactions, while still limiting the flow of people into the province,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “We’re also supporting people who need to travel frequently between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, with recognition of the need to access services from the Atlantic Veterinary College in particular.”
The Nova Scotia-New Brunswick travel protocol is now expanded to include Prince Edward Island. People can use the protocol to travel between Nova Scotia and these two provinces for work, school, child care or veterinary services. They do not complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in and do not have to self-isolate when they enter or return to Nova Scotia.
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form: https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en
Nova Scotia-New Brunswick-Prince Edward Island travel protocol: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/COVID-19-Protocol-for-NS-NB-PEI-travel.pdf
COVID-19 self-assessment: https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
Nova Scotia Coronavirus website: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)
